Gate-hinge



(N0 Model.)

0. N. MERIWETHER.

GATE HINGE. No. 537,697. Patented Apr. 16, 1895.

NITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

GATE-HIN'G E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,697, dated April 16, 1895.

Application filed August 9, 1894. Serial No. 519 849- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, CHARLES N. MERI- WETHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Olarksville, in the county of Montgomery and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gate-Hinges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that type of hinges particularly designed for gates, in which a metallic strap secured to the gate is provided at one end with an eye engaging a pintle on a screw or other shank driven into the gate-post.

The present invention has for its object to provide a novel, efficient and economical hinge having means whereby it is possible to conveniently and rapidly raise or lower the free or outer end of the gate to suit the conditions required and to conform with uneven ground, or to correct undue sagging of the gate.

The invention consists essentially in the combination with a shank having a vertical cylindrical pintle, and a metal strap bent into an elongated eye having curved end portions, of a removable and replaceable plug having a convex ed outer edge and a concaved inner edge to fit the pintle and insertible into either end of the elongated eye to stand at the front or rear of the pintle.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, is a side elevation f a gate hinge embodying my invention. 2, is atop plan view of the metallic strap with its elongated eye and showing the plug in position therein. Fig. 3, is a detail side elevation of the plug.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawings, wherein- The numeral 1 indicates the strap portion of the hinge which is composed of a Hat metallic plate having one end folded, or bent upon itself and secured bya rivet as at 7, for the purpose of forming an elongated eye which, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, comprises the curved rear end 8, curved front end 9 and parallel side walls 10 and 12. The elongated eye of the metallic strap is adapted to be en gaged with a pintle 5, projecting, vertically from a shank 2, adapted to be secured in a gate-post.

The shank is preferably constructed with a screw extremity 13 so that it can be screwed into the gate-post, but obviously the shank can be otherwise driven into the post without altering the character of the hinge.

In practice the metallic strap portion of the hinge is secured to the gate and the latter frequently sags to such extent as to obstruct the correct working of the gate, or interfere with its convenient operation. To correct the sagging of the gate and to adjust the gate for many other purposes, I provide a plug 3, which is susceptible of being inserted into either end of the elongated eye of the strap part of the hinge so that the plug can be placed in front of, or in rear of the pintle 5. The plug is constructed with a con vexed rear edge 14 adapted to fit the curved portions 8 or 9 of the elongated eye and the plug is also formed with a convexed portion 15 adapted to fit the cylindrical pintle 5. If the plug is inserted into the rear end of the elongated eye and lies at the rear side of the pintle 5, the free or outer end of the gate will be raised and conversely if the plug is inserted into the front end of the elongated eye and lies in front of the pintle 5, the free orouter end of the gate willbe lowered. By this means the gate can be easily adjusted to suit whatever condition is required, such as adapting the gate to uneven ground, or correcting the saggiugof the gate.

The removable and replaceable plug is constructed with parallel sides 16 and 17 which lie against the parallel side walls 10 and 12 of the elongated eye, whereby the plug is prevented from turning as the gate swings and. is at all times retained in proper operative position.

The shank 2 is constructed at the base of the pintle 5- with an annular shoulder 18 against which the lower end of the plug 3, and the lower edge of the elongated eye may rest, so that the plug cannot descend out of operative position, but I prefer to support the plug against undue downward movement through the medium of a laterally projecting flange 4, adapted to bear against the upper edge of the curved portions 8 or 9. The flange at is not used in the construction illustrated in Fig. 2,

but it is advisable to use the fiange in that it supports the plug and provides a finger-piece, or handle for conveniently removing and replacing the plug.

ICO

Many contrivances have heretofore been proposed for correcting the sagging of gates, but all are more or less complicated, expensive, difficult of adjustment, inconvenient in use and generally insufficient for the purpose in hand.

By my invention I provide very simple and comparatively inexpensive means whereby the free, or outer end of a gate can be readily raised or lowered to suit the conditions required.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- In a gate hinge, the combination with a shank having a cylindrical pintle, and a metal strap bent into an elongated eye, of a removable and replaceable plug adapted to be in serted into either end of the elongated eye to stand at the front, or rear of the pintle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and aflixed my seal in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES N. MERIWETHER. 

